By M. Suleman

27^th Aug 2012: Like any typical failed state, every day that passes reveals more rot in government. This past week was no different in Uganda. In the midst of the shame of the rot in the Office of the Prime Minister, the government came out guns blazing with well choreographed responses. Each spin came with pretentious tough talk.

Those aware of the modus operandi of NRA/NRM would know that the spin is meant to excite and hoodwink simple minded Ugandans and the gullible international community as looting in government continues unabated.

Then the Air force! Re-equipped controversially by flouting all laws, the nation got a glimpse of the state of affairs in the Air force when the UPDF’s Mi-24 helicopters crashed in Kenya. Apart from the glimpse of nepotism, the rest is too ghastly to be imagined.

The whole circus resembled a Hollywood movie. After all the lies and contradictions from the army, the Supreme Commander finally weighed in to wind up the drama. He announced a Commission of inquiry to establish the cause of the tragedy.

As expected of a man with a blurred vision, he appointed his brother Gen. Salim to head the Commission. This is the same Salim who was once implicated in the purchase of junk helicopters for the same air force.  It is like appointing “a thief to lead a probe into theft” – it simply defies logic!

The week was dominated by the politics of ‘marginalization’. First were the Muslims and then the Buganda politics. Both have one aspect in common – simplification of serious issues!

The issue of the Muslims appealing to Museveni to give them more ministerial posts is shocking.  It was also heartbreaking to see Baganda members of parliament heading to State House to ‘demand’ that Buganda issues to be looked at by Museveni.

These two issues demonstrate that the bulk of our leaders and people do not understand how Museveni operates, the seriousness of the problem Uganda is faced with, and what their role is in efforts to bring about meaningful change in the country.

Yes, both the constitution and common sense prohibit all forms of marginalization along tribal, religious, gender lines etc.  Museveni has defended these principles since he grabbed power.  But many Ugandans have failed to understand that Museveni uses such rhetoric to hoodwink them – because if truth be told, Museveni is fundamentally sectarian.

For example, his decision to appoint Gen Katumba Wamala head of the land forces cannot, and will never turn his NRA into a national army – never mind that it’s now called the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)

Similarly, appointing Ssaida Bbumba a Minister, or any Muslim for that matter, could not and did not save the late Kiggundu’s Greenland Group.  As Major John Kazoora pointed out in his book, (Betrayed By My Leader) Museveni deployed him with strict instructions to spy on Moses Kigongo – a Muganda who was with them in the bush.

That is how Museveni operates.  When he appoints someone from another tribe or religion in order to appear fair and unprejudiced, he also makes sure he puts someone fiercely loyal to him horizontally or below who then neutralizes the symbolic boss and makes him literally useless.

That is why it baffles me that Ugandans from the less favoured and less regions still yearn to wear Museveni’s empty crowns.  The NRA was largely a club of marginalized individuals.  They liberated themselves and they have grabbed as much as they can to satisfy themselves.  They are a minority and they survive through divide and rule.

For example, they have to continue diving Buganda, and they have to continue pushing other tribes against Buganda!  Many Buganda leaders have failed to understand that by going to Museveni to beg, they are inadvertently giving him ammunition to disorganize Buganda.

Ugandans need to understand that Uganda’s problem is not cabinet posts but Museveni & Co.  The earlier we unite and focus on his removal, the better.  END.  Login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories mid-week for our updates

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